title: FLT-3 ligand and marrow stroma-derived factors promote CD3gamma, CD3delta, CD3zeta, and RAG-2 gene expression in primary human CD34+LIN-DR- marrow progenitors.
abstract: We hypothesize that early lymphoid commitment from primitive hematopoietic marrow progenitors is governed by signals from the marrow microenvironment leading to sequential induction of lineage-specific genes. Using expression of lymphoid genes as markers of differentiation, we characterize a highly purified population (>99.8% by double sorting) of primary human CD34+Lin-DR- progenitors. This population was then used to evaluate the effects of supplemental cytokines (interleukin-2 [IL-2], IL-3, IL-7, c-kit ligand), FLT-3 ligand (FL), and stroma-derived factors on lymphoid differentiation in vitro. CD3, RAG-1, Ikaros, CD10, and TdT transcripts were detected in the starting CD34+Lin-DR- population. By contrast, CD3gamma, CD3delta, CD3zeta, and RAG-2 transcripts were not present in any samples tested. The presence of supplemental cytokines alone at culture initiation permitted stimulation of the expression of CD3zeta, but not of CD3gamma or CD3delta. However, when FL and stroma-derived factors were added to cytokines, CD3 gene expression was induced in all samples. The predominant CD3 transcripts induced by optimal culture conditions were alternatively spliced isoforms lacking transmembrane sequences (CD3delta and CD3gamma) and portions of the intracellular and extracellular domains (CD3gamma). The combination of cytokines, FL, and stromal factors also provided a potent stimulus for RAG-2 gene expression. These findings show that FL in combination with stroma-derived factors provide important signals to promote early events required for lymphoid differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Gaffney
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lund
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D017398:Alternative Splicing; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000032:analysis; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000235:genetics*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000494:pharmacology; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34; D017252:CD3 Complex; D016207:Cytokines; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; C499311:RAG2 protein, human; C064655:V(D)J recombination activating protein 2; C084881:flt3 ligand protein; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase